In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied”, and in chapter twenty-seven and verse twenty-one of Proverbs Solomon shared about, “silver, gold” and “a man to his praise” where we read,
As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold;
so is a man to his praise.
The verse begins, “As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold;” Solomon began with the words, “as the fining pot for silver” or “similar and in likeness to the way a crucible on behalf of silver metal”, “and the furnace for gold”which means “and the forge or smelting pot on behalf of gold metal” even so the following is true. Solomon employed the crucible in which silver metal is melted and the smelting pot in which gold metal is melted to describe the following.
The verse continues, “so is a man to his praise.” Solomon added the words, “so is a man” or “even, also and indeed exists a person whether male or female” “to his praise” which means “toward his, the person's, honor, glorification, commendation and approval”. Solomon said each person is tested and proved when “praise or commendation” is given to them.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how people are tested and proved when they are commended or glorified by other people. In other words, similar to the way a crucible is used to test and purify silver metal and a smelting pot is used to do the same for gold metal, so is a person tested when they are given accolades by others. God loves us, and any abilities and gifts we have are given to us by Him. (See 1 Corinthians 4:7) He gave us His greatest gift through His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide us with the ability and desire to give credit to Him when others glorify and give us approval.
Next time Solomon shares about, “foolishness” not departing from “a fool”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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